Neutrality Monument
| Location | Bitarap Turkmenistan Avenue, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan |
|---|---|
| Builder | Polimeks |
| Type | Arch |
| Height | 95 m (312 ft) |
| Completion date | 1998 |
The Monument of Neutrality (Turkmen: Bitaraplyk binasy) is a monument and observation tower located in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. The three-legged arch, which became known locally as "The Tripod", was 75 metres (246 ft) tall and was built in 1998 on the orders of President Saparmurat Niyazov to commemorate the country's official position of neutrality. It was constructed by Turkish construction firm Polimeks at a cost of $12 million.
Originally located in central Ashgabat, the monument was one of the tallest buildings in the city, being taller than the nearby Presidential Palace. It was topped by an illuminated 12-metre (39 ft) tall gold-plated statue of Niyazov which rotated to always face the sun. The monument features a panoramic viewing platform for visitors, accessible by inclined elevators built into the arch's legs.
In 2010, the monument was dismantled and moved to the suburbs in the city's southern end, where it was reassembled and still stands.